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Category Archives: Stories

A Diwali Makeover with Art for Akanksha Murals

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Rian’s Room

Rian wanted his room painted. It needed to capture what was important to him. The designer working in his home as well as his mom, simply could not put a brief down. We got the chance to meet, see the room and hear the story he wanted depicted. It had to have superman, show his home planet as well as earth, had to have him zooming to rescue someone, a building on fire was a must, and of course an alien spaceship!

 

Art for Akanksha to the rescue!! We can paint anything on anything!

So with a tiny team we helped Rian with a few sketches, got him to do research and find reference images as well as work on his own sketch and then sent in a more stylised design of what we could do for him.

2 akanksha alumni worked with him through the day to paint his wall and were joined by his mom, dad, nani and sister as well! Each brought in their own way style and philosophy as well as additions to the mural. Rian’s sister even added a tower with Rupanzel’s hair flowing down!

What started as a simple superman to the rescue story evolved and unfolded before us – there were pancakes on fire, spongebob’s home, a catapulting ice cream store and many other such additions which made his wall and his room a special little part of the home.

 

The experience was one which gave Rian a chance to be a part of the process from start to end, pushed him to express his thoughts, to be fine with the understanding that ideas evolve and change and grow as you work on them as well as to make him see that its important to push yourself to do things you’re not always confident about.

 

If you want a mural painted, get in touch with us. We’ll help you create a story of your own.

Oh the places we went!

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Book reading, furniture painting and fun galore

Art for Akanksha’s summer workshops at Ashok Tower teed off once again this year. The children tried their hand at furniture painting as they learnt its nuances, different art techniques and introspected on some incredible Dr. Seuss quotes. Oh the places they went and the stories they shared! They went where “It’s opener there in the wide open air,” because they wanted to fly and soar. They discovered their super powers and donned their super hero look. Vir – the super climbing man, Ahaana’s super hero name was ‘Flexi’, Tara – the Mathemagician, Arishka – whose super power was her ability to sing and enchant others! And so very many more… The book reading sessions set the pace for the day, with the kids enacting their favourite parts. The kids were so excited to see their piece of art on the furniture that they couldn’t wait to take them back home and proudly display it to their families. We were happy to receive messages from mothers to let us know that their kids had a blast and were eager for more such art activities in the future.

For information on art/ birthday party workshops do mail us at art@akanksha.org

At Art for Akanksha, we believe that art can be a special way of bringing together children from different spheres of society, empowering each with the knowledge that no matter how different they are they still have the same potential.

Art for Akanksha empowers children from low income communities with a powerful art education, provides art-related career opportunities for Akanksha alumni and generates revenue through high-quality products.

Going Cubic with Picasso - Art for Akanksha at Kalaghoda

Art, a Social Leveler

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Picasso installation by Art for Akanksha students awarded third place at the Kala Ghoda

The tall, colorful, almost bizarre Picasso installation blends in beautifully amongst the many at the Kala Ghoda festival. There are installations on Andy Warhol, Zakhir Husain, Brinda Miller, Henri Rousseau and many others. As you walk by these pieces of art, you’re blown away with what children can do, what art can do for children and what schools can do if they believe in the power of art for their children.

What you don’t really think of seeing are the placards next to each which proudly say who’s created them. If you looked at those you’d realize what an incredible social leveler art can be. Within that little garden of the Prince of Wales museum, you have some of the most privileged schools along with government schools. And you’d never be able to guess which belonged to which.

It makes me believe even more strongly in the power of art, it makes me believe what we have always believed at Akanksha – children are essentially the same, they only differ in the opportunities that they have access to.

As I got calls and emails congratulating us for getting third place for our Picasso installation, I felt proud of my Akanksha children and teachers because they can do anything they set their minds to. Resources matter and make a difference, but belief, determination and passion is what will always make that bizarre, tall, wildly colored Picasso stand out. So proud!

Ruchi

Director, Art for Akanksha

Raza Square and Circles

Raza – Squares and Circles

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“I cannot understand Raza’s art but I have learnt that it is alright to not always understand things.” Suraj

SH Raza was fascinating to study because there was so much to understand and so much that was left to the students to interpret and make their own. It left students with the sense that no matter how they saw a piece of art, it was right – what was important was that they tried to connect it to their lives and to find meaning for themselves.

Like Suraj said, you can’t always ‘get it’ when you see a piece of art; so much of the story is left for you to interpret.

Artists of Abhyudaya Mumbai Public School – an MCGM school run in partnership with the Akanksha Foundation

 

Visit the Prince of Wales Museum gardens and send in your pictures with the Art for Akanksha installations at art@akanksha.org!

Picasso Art work

Going Cubic with Picasso – AFA at Kalaghoda

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“Picasso wanted to do something different. So he came up with Cubism. Cubism was totally different from what the artists before Picasso had ever painted.” Says Rohit.

This installation has been all about having fun while learning about Cubism and specifically the life and works of Pablo Picasso.

The disjointed elements of this piece of art were a riot to put together! And it was a great opener for discussions around ‘What is art?’ Who decides what is good art?

We don’t have the answers but as a group, the students got thinking about them.

This is a labour of love by the children of Shindewadi Mumbai Public School

To know what Picasso taught Rohit do visit the Prince of Wales Museum gardens. Send in your pictures with the installation at art@akanksha.org and keep watching this space for more updates on other masterpieces by the Akanksha children. We look forward to your comments!

Celebrating my dreams

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pooja“I see something, I think and then I create.”

Not a scientist’s words, but those of 15-year-old Pooja, a budding designer.

Art for Akanksha’s Design Class opened up a new world for her—a space to explore creativity, so different from school. “We can make anything we want here. Because of art, I am celebrating my dreams,” she says.

Her mother recalls how Pooja once felt uncertain about her future in fashion design. Design Class not only revealed her hidden talents but also boosted her confidence and English skills. “She would come home and talk about everything she experienced there,” her mother shares with pride.

That spark continues to shape her journey. Today, Pooja works as a graphic designer, using Photoshop extensively, and has also completed a course in fashion design. With determination and faith, she is steadily walking the path to becoming the designer she dreams to be.

Learning to make choices

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sana

At eight, Sana joined Akanksha on her aunt’s suggestion, not knowing what awaited her. What she found was a world of gentle teachers who made learning joyful, unlike anything she had known. Her years at the Centre became a time of discovery and growth.

By 18, family needs pushed her to work, but a short corporate stint made her realise it wasn’t for her. Drawn back to Akanksha, she began designing and painting products with Art for Akanksha. “The environment here is so good, it’s like people can only love you,” she smiles.

Art became her space to explore, make choices, and gain independence—something her parents now deeply value. “Many of my friends are married, but my parents know I’m capable of earning and being independent,” she says.

Her teacher Rajshree beams, “Sana evolved from a shy, loving child into a confident and smart woman who discovered her potential. This reaffirms how Akanksha and art shape lives.”

Today, Sana is Assistant Manager at Art for Akanksha, leading production, sales, marketing, and partnerships—carrying forward the world she first stepped into as a child.

 

My brain starts moving fast!

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swapnil

For as long as he can remember, Swapnil has been drawn to colours and creative thinking. Discovering new art forms and artists soon became his passion—making Akanksha’s Design Classes his perfect fit. To him, each weekend class felt like Pandora’s Box, filled with something new to learn.

Before Design Class, weekends meant homework. After, they became a source of joy and growth. Swapnil realised the sessions not only boosted his creativity but also sharpened his mind, making subjects like maths and science more exciting.

His Centre teacher, Rupa didi, proudly recalls, “He has grown exceptionally—his English improved, he excelled in all subjects, and today he’s on a different planet!” Calm, focused, and sincere, Swapnil impressed everyone, including his Design Class teacher, Salli didi, who admired his pursuit of perfection. “I go deep into everything I see, and it’s because of art. In Design Class, I found a new world,” Swapnil says.

That world carried him far—from scoring 95% in his board exams as an Akanksha topper to becoming a software engineer at Walmart Global Tech Services, Bangalore.

We can’t wait to see where his discoveries take him next.

Art gives me life!

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Ruby joined the AVBS Akanksha School in Grade 8 and already knew that art was the way for her. Through support and opportunities that she got from her teachers, she decided to pursue art as a career.

Completing her graduation in Fine Arts, she is now pursuing a Masters with a specialisation in
portraits from MIT ADT University Pune

She has picked up a few awards through this journey – the latest being the first prize at Portraits
in her college.

She has participated and exhibited Artlane as well as the 42nd Monsoon show in Jahangir art Gallery, Mumbai. She was also at Method Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda as a part of a group show through Baro Market.

What stands out about her is her humility and desire to keep learning and striving towards her dream of being able to support herself and her family through the work she feels most passionate about.

I believe in being true to myself especially in challenging times, as an artist our truest colours
reflect our most honest thoughts and ideas.